נָחַם
properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָחַם (nâcham) carries a range of emotional and relational meanings centered on a deep, inward change. Its primary sense is 'to be sorry, to have compassion, or to comfort.' When God is the subject, it often means to relent or change one's course of action out of compassion, as when God 'relented' concerning the disaster planned for Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). In a human context, it frequently means to receive or give comfort, like Isaac being comforted after his mother's death (Genesis 24:67). It can also denote regret or repentance, as seen when God was 'sorry' He had made humanity (Genesis 6:6). In a few instances, it takes on a nuance of seeking vengeance or consolation for oneself (e.g., Ezekiel 5:13).
Biblical Usage
נָחַם is used about 100 times in the Old Testament, appearing across many books, especially in narrative and prophetic literature. It is often relational, describing comfort in grief (Genesis 37:35), God's compassionate relenting from judgment (Exodus 32:14, Jeremiah 18:8), and human or divine regret (1 Samuel 15:29 clarifies God does not 'repent' as humans do). A key pattern is its use in contexts of mourning and divine response to human repentance or intercession.
Etymology
As a primitive root, נָחַם is thought to be connected to the physical act of breathing deeply or sighing, conveying strong inward emotion. This root idea developed into meanings of comfort (easing sorrow) and repentance (a sigh over past action). Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of breathing, sighing, and comforting.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically profound as it reveals the emotional and relational character of God. It shows God as one who feels compassion, relents in judgment in response to repentance (Jeremiah 18:8), and offers comfort to His people (Isaiah 40:1). It also highlights the nature of true human repentance—a deep, emotional turning. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by showing that biblical 'repentance' and 'comfort' are not merely intellectual but involve the whole person.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, deep sighing or breathing heavily was a visible, physical expression of intense inner feeling—be it grief, regret, or compassion. The word's connection to this physical act would have made its emotional weight immediately understood, perhaps more viscerally than in modern Western contexts.
שָׁב (shûv, H7725) — focuses on the action of turning or returning, while נָחַם emphasizes the inner emotional change. נִחַם (nichum, H5152) — the related noun form meaning 'comfort' or 'consolation.' רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — means to have compassion or mercy, sharing the emotional component but with a stronger emphasis on pity or womb-like love.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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